Shadwell Middle Park Stakes 2010

3.05 Newmarket
Shadwell Middle Park Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1) (2YO only)
Winner £106,046

Pick: Dream Ahead (win)

Al Aasifh: Had been an easy winner at Haydock before not running his race in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in Norfolk Stakes; Back to form in good style when taking Rose Bowl Stakes, staying on strongly from Cape To Rio; Morny disappointment was his second in a big race situation, which has to enter calculations.

Approve: Showed promise early on and has run to a high level since, winning the Norfolk Stakes, coming fourth in the July Stakes and third in Prix Robert Papin (unlucky to lose); Once again ran good race when second in Champagne Stakes last time and there to pick up pieces if front two fluff their lines.

Dream Ahead: Smashed into on debut and didn’t disappointing, looking group class colt with a future when bolting in by 9 lengths on debut, still green as he hung badly left when clear; Coped with fast – track to Group 1 in exemplary fashion when smoothly winning Prix Morny in greats style; Excellent chance in race of similar fashion.

Foghorn Leghorn: Showed promise on his first two runs, but regressed since and looks well short of what’s needed.

Irish Field: Seriously progressive horse, bolting up on first 2 starts in Spain and did hold Coventry entry until being withdrawn late on; Unlucky to get caught on line by Keratiya and improved for different tactics when impressive winner of Prix Robert Papin, quickening clear of Broox in impressive style; Ran flat in Morny and more needed now.

Samuel Morse: Created good impression when scoring here on debut and has progressed since, winning Marble Hill and coming fourth behind Strong Suit in Coventry; Has been rather disappointing considering that result since with seconds in Superlative and Anglesey Stakes (well beaten) and another step backwards when fifth in Phoenix Stakes; Improved on that with nice fourth in National Stakes, but drop back in trip could do his chances.

Strong Suit: Built on highly impressive debut success (made smooth progressive before drawing away nicely from Neebras; Railway Stakes winner 6l back in third) before winning Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, doing very well to overcome serious interference; Disappointing when only third in Phoenix but possibly not helped by being infront to be shot at; Will need to handle slower ground but every chance if doing so.

Temple Meads: Justified good support on debut at Newmarket on 1000 Guineas day when running away with decent 5f maiden and ran out a decisive and impressive winner of Super Sprint afterwards; Stepped up for the Gimcrack but ran freely and emptied out in last furlong, so surprise when he won Mill Reef Stakes so easily last time out (settled better); Every chance if stepping up again but this much tougher test and has work to do on formline with approve.

VERDICT: Approve, with Ryan Moore on board should run a good race and Temple Meads has recovered this former promise, but the ease in the ground may just give this to DREAM AHEAD, who looked top class in winning the Morny last time. Coventry winner Strong Suit is the main danger, especially if taking to the soft ground.